Mobile Device Incident Light Meter for Exposure Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photographers face challenges in determining accurate exposure settings, especially under bright or dark conditions, as reflected light meters may not always provide optimal results, and incident light meters require additional equipment and manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
Equipping mobile devices with light sensors to function as incident light meters, allowing for light level measurements to be used to compute exposure settings, eliminating the need for separate devices and enabling both manual and automated adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reflected light meter is built into a camera, then the photographer is freed from carrying additional equipment and automated exposure determination is enabled, but the light level measurements may not always lead to the most appropriate exposure settings under all circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the incident light meter functionality with the mobile device that already contains a reflected light meter and camera. The mobile device now integrates multiple light measurement capabilities (reflected light meter for convenience and incident light meter for accuracy) in a single device, allowing the photographer to carry only one device while having access to both measurement types for different shooting scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a reflected light meter (built-in) and an incident light meter (via external sensor attachment). This multi-functionality allows the single device to adapt to different measurement needs - using reflected light measurement for general purposes and incident light measurement when higher accuracy is required under bright or dark conditions
2Measurement precision
If an incident light meter is used to measure light falling on a subject, then exposure settings are correct under a broader range of lighting conditions, but the photographer needs to carry additional equipment and manually determine exposure settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the incident light meter with the mobile device by attaching an external light sensor to the mobile device's camera system. This integration allows the incident light measurement capability to be combined with the mobile device's processing power, display, and existing camera functions, eliminating the need to carry a separate standalone incident light meter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional manual operation of standalone incident light meters with automated digital processing. The mobile device automatically captures light sensor data, processes it through algorithms to determine exposure settings, and presents the results on the device's display, eliminating the need for manual calculation and determination that characterized traditional incident light meters
3Measurement precision
If a standalone incident light meter is used, then accurate light level measurements are obtained, but the photographer must manually determine exposure settings based on the measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual determination process with automated digital computation. The mobile device's processor automatically receives light level measurements from the external sensor, applies exposure calculation algorithms, and generates exposure setting recommendations, eliminating the need for the photographer to manually interpret measurements and calculate settings
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring light levels through the external sensor and automatically adjusting exposure setting recommendations based on real-time measurements. The mobile device processes the light sensor data and provides immediate feedback in the form of recommended exposure settings, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing lighting conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for accurate exposure setting determination under various lighting conditions without additional equipment, enhancing the capability of mobile devices to function similarly to traditional incident light meters, improving photography results by providing reliable light level and exposure setting values.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile device with a light sensor can be used as an incident light meter
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile telecommunications device is provided. The mobile telecommunications device comprises a light sensor and a calculation component. Adjustments to at least one of the brightness of a display screen on the mobile telecommunications device and the backlighting of a keypad on the mobile telecommunications device are based on light sensed by the light sensor. The calculation component is configured to receive a light level measurement from the light sensor and generate a photography-related output based on the light level measurement.